Mit Herz und Hand
ZDF Documentary: The Saviors of the New Museum in Berlin
With Heart and Hand
After five years of reconstruction, the New Museum in Berlin reopens. Star architect David Chipperfield has meticulously restored Berlin’s most beautiful ruin. The most famous exhibit: the bust of Nefertiti.
Regarded as “Berlin’s most beautiful ruin,” fragile and marked by the destruction of World War II, the New Museum stood since 1945, barely protected against wind and weather, on Museum Island.
In recent years, Chipperfield has carefully restored the museum, replacing the destroyed parts with modern elements. The result is a new whole that fascinatingly brings the spirit of the original building into the present. A unique architectural achievement, long controversial, but now celebrated even more.
The New Soul of Old Rooms
A massive project – construction workers, restorers, and museum specialists contributed with their knowledge, skill, and enthusiasm to the success of this unique, incredible work. They saved the New Museum and turned it into one of the most beautiful and interesting places in Berlin, right in the middle of Museum Island.
The building, constructed between 1843 and 1855 by Friedrich August Stüler, remained a ruin for decades after World War II, and reconstruction only began in 1986. After a construction stop, British star architect David Chipperfield took over the restoration. The budget was set at 233 million euros, but it was not fully utilized.
Nefertiti on Display Again
The official opening is planned for October 16, 2009. Then, the New Museum is set to house the Egyptian Museum with the bust of the Egyptian Pharaoh Nefertiti and the Museum of Prehistory and Early History with finds from the Stone Age and later periods. Thus, two Berlin museums return to their origin.